Coaster



Jan, 31, 11.950 0. A. GAUDINO COASTER Filed May 12, 1945 FIG! FIG. 2 "34 INVENTOR. ORLANDO A GAUDINO Patented Jan. 31, 1950 COASTER OrlandoAlboeno Gaudino, United States Army, Butler, Pa.

Application May 12, 1945, Serial No. 593,355

- 1 Claim.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part I of this specification andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthruout the several views,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved device for receiving andabsorbing condensate from receptacles supported thereon.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken transversely of the device,substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the variousstructural features thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 33 of Figure 1 showing a bayonet slot arrangement by means of whichthe receptacle supporting spider ma be connected to the main frame orbase of the coaster.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only apreferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generallydesignate the improved device. It is coaster-like in nature andcomprises a main frame or base portion B; absorbent pad C and receptaclesupporting spider or member D.

The frame or base B is receptacle-like in nature and may be constructedof glass, porcelain, plastic, wood or any approved material. It includesa bottom wall having an upstanding relatively thick wall ll; preferablycircular and defining a chamber l2 therein. The internal walls of thechamber I2 are preferably provided with diametrically opposed pairs ofbayonet slots which include entrance ways 14 opening on the top surfaceI of the upstanding wall and the preferably right angled horizontalretaining slots is into which the lower ends of the ways i4 open. Thesebayonet slots do not extend through the entire thickness of the wall IIand are adapted to provide means for attaching the arms of the spider ormember D, as will be subsequently described.

The base B at the lower margin thereof may be provided with a flangedfooting 20 which is preferably externally convex. The bottom of the wallI!) may be provided with a shallow rest ring 2!, of cork or similarmaterial. It overlaps the footing 20 and insures the protection of tablesurfaces, etc., from marring should the base B be made of some plasticor hard material. The ring 2! gives just suflilcient surface forproperly supporting the base without an entire bottom contact upon thesupporting surface.

There is disposed within the chamber l2 an absorbent pad C, preferably asponge, sponge rubber or other absorbent material. It will absorb themoisture dripping as condensate from the receptacle supported on thedevice. The top surface of this pad when in the chamber [2 projectsupwardly above the lower edge of the slot portions [6 so that the padwill be slightly compressed as the spider D is moved into place, althothis is not essential.

The receptacle supporting member or spider D preferably consists of ahub portion 30 having arms 3| radiating therefrom in any approvednumber. Preferably they are arranged in opposed pairs. At their outerends the arms 3! are provided with reduced studs 32 adapted to seat inthe bayonet slots in the manner shown in the drawing. It is noted thatthe arms 3i are relatively narrow so that a large area of the uppersurface of the absorbent pad C is exposed. The hub 30 is preferablyprovided with a central opening 34 to further expose the pad.

So that the receptacle, generally designated at E in the drawing, neednot rest directly upon the entire upper surfacing of the arms 3!, thelatter have narrow elongated upwardly projecting ribs 36 on their uppersurfaces intermediate the ends thereof, and upon which the receptacle Erests.

While I am aware that coasters have heretofore been provided forsupporting receptacles into which condensate may drip, yet in many ofthem the arrangement of parts are complicated or if the coaster is asimple receptacle, the bottom portion of the glass is immersed in thecondensate caught in the receptacle and when the receptacle is depositedon a table or other surface, as is frequently the case during use, thepurpose of providing a coaster is defeated. With my improved device,however, the condensate is absorbed by the pad 0 and the bottom of thereceptacle is substantially clear of water except for minor condensate.The purpose of this invention can be partially served even in theabsence of an absorbent pad.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of invention herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A coaster for the purpose defined comprising a base having an open topchamber therein with bayonet slots opening on the top surface of saidbase, a spider including a hub and arms radiating therefrom, studs onthe ends of said arms for detachable connection with the the bayonetslots of said base for supporting said spider in spaced relation abovethe bottom of the chamber and Within the chamber, the arms of thespiderbeing provided with receptacle supporting projections extending upwardlyfrom the upper surfaces thereof.

ORLANDO ALBOENO GAUDTNO'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number D. 32,950 5 48,996 252,406 482,603 511,617 821,208

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